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A government shutdown in the US occurs when Congress fails to pass funding legislation, causing a lapse in appropriations that halts non-essential federal government operations. This leads to hundreds of thousands of federal employees being furloughed or working without pay. The current funding gap began on October 1, 2025.
The searching interest spiked because the 2025 shutdown became the longest in US history, reaching 40 days in early November. The stalemate is rooted in a dispute between Democrats and Republicans over whether to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance subsidies, which are set to expire. The spike peaked as the Senate held a key procedural vote on Sunday, November 9, 2025, after a bipartisan deal was reached to advance a stopgap funding bill that included provisions for a later vote on the ACA subsidies.
The public is primarily affected by disruptions to services, including widespread flight delays and long security lines at airports due to a spike in absences among unpaid air traffic controllers and TSA screeners. Federal workers face immense financial stress. Democrats demanded the extension of ACA subsidies to lower health insurance costs, while Republicans generally resisted, with President Trump urging Republicans to end the ACA. Critics warned that a prolonged shutdown can lead to long-term economic damage, hurting small businesses and consumer confidence.